Tweetspeak Poetry

  • Home
  • FREE prompts
  • Earth Song
  • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • Teaching Tools
  • Books, Etc.
  • Patron Love

Poets and Poems: Grace Schulman’s “Without a Claim”

By Glynn Young 12 Comments

For a time I worked on my own, in a small office in the downtown section of our St. Louis suburb (pop. 27, 154). I was a short half block to our train station, a block from the farmer’s market, next door to the bakery. I was on the first-floor of a two-story building (we call that a skyscraper here), sandwiched between a seamstress’s shop and a hair salon. Most days, my spaniel joined me, sleeping somewhere near my feet.

One morning, I turned on my computer and pulled up AOL (this was years before social media). The first thing I saw was smoke pouring from one of the towers of the World Trade Center. I flipped on my portable television and watched a plane hit the second tower.

The Amtrak station was still half a block away. The farmers market was opening up. I could still smell the leftover fragrance of doughnuts frying at the bakery. The hair stylist had just welcomed her first customer of the day, and the seamstress was working on adjusting a party dress. The dog was still asleep at my feet.

I wasn’t sure whether my immediate environment or the scenes on the television were the more real or unreal.

Can poets and poems make sense of something like this?

Poet Grace Schulman confronts a similar and more individually personal discontinuity in the poem “Hickories, ” included in her new collection Without a Claim:

Why do I write of hickories, whose boughs
touch other boughs across a slender road
when our neighbor, Haneen, born in Gaza,

cried that a missile ripped her niece apart
in the family garden? The child’s father
found her intestines stuck to a cypress bark

and he, too, perished in the raid. Her mother
wrote to Haneen before the news was out,
“Help me. Take my hand.” Why do I rave

of hickories reaching out their crooked fingers?
Because before the fires, the child, Lina,
was dropping almonds into a linen napkin.

Soon she would run to offer them for dinner.
Like Lina, I race to show you hickories,
their nuts shrunken brown globes, soon to fall.

For all the graphic images of missiles, death, and destruction, it is a remarkably quiet poem, and the quietness is what gives it its power. While few of Schulman’s poems in the collection are as unsettling as “Hickories, ” they all share a sense of quiet repose in the face of discontinuity and the futility of what contemporary humanity puts its faith in—technology, power, wealth, music, art, culture, even physical therapy.

But ocean liners will sink, bodies will decay, houses and bridges will eventually collapse. Tragedies happen. Even the subject of a poem like Handel’s Messiah (and one of the poems in the collection is indeed about the Messiah) is ultimately about discontinuity and upheaval.

So we turn to a line of hickory trees to attempt to make sense of a child dying in a missile attack. Or, in the face of the destruction of the buildings of the World Trade Center, even those of us hundreds of miles away and unconnected directly to the tragedy did our own version of writing about hickory trees. We called our spouses, children, relatives and friends, to hear their voices and so assure ourselves that the entire world had not gone mad.

Schulman, the author of six books of poetry and several other works, cites a number of poets as major influences, including Walt Whitman, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Dante, and Marianne Moore. Several are cited or memorialized in the poems of Without a Claim. They, too, are often about change and discontinuity, and how one deals with both.

With quiet words and unsettling subjects and images, Schulman captures our attention and makes us ask the eternal question, “Why?”

Image by h. koppedelaney. Sourced via Flickr. Post by Glynn Young, author of the novels Dancing Priest and A Light Shining, and the just-published Poetry at Work (T. S. Poetry Press). 

Enjoy more poetry at work™. 

Buy the book Poetry at Work. 

Celebrate Poetry at Work Day. 

Browse more poets and poems.

_____________________________

Poetry at Work Day PosterPrint your own free Poetry at Work Day poster and celebrate Poetry at Work Day in your workplace

Visit the official Poetry at Work Day poster page for free printable posters and computer wallpapers

_____________________________

Poetry at Work Business and Poetry Books

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Glynn Young
Follow Glynn
Glynn Young
Editor and Twitter-Party-Cool-Poem-Weaver at Tweetspeak Poetry
Glynn Young lives in St. Louis where he retired as the team leader for Online Strategy & Communications for a Fortune 500 company. Glynn writes poetry, short stories and fiction, and he loves to bike. He is the author of Poetry at Work and the Dancing Priest Series. Find Glynn at Faith, Fiction, Friends.
Glynn Young
Follow Glynn
Latest posts by Glynn Young (see all)
  • Poets and Poems: Andrew Frisardi and “The Moon on Elba” - June 6, 2023
  • Poets and Poems: Bruce Beasley and “Prayershreds” - May 30, 2023
  • Poets and Poems: James Sale and “StairWell” - May 23, 2023

Filed Under: book reviews, Grief Poems, Poems, poetry, poetry reviews, Poets

Write with Us

Comments

  1. Donna says

    January 7, 2014 at 6:47 am

    Such power in quietness, to be sure. Love the way you said that. What a breathtaking poem. Great post. Thanks Glynn.

    Reply
    • Glynn says

      January 7, 2014 at 12:48 pm

      Donna – thanks for reading and commenting. What I keep being reminded of is how much we can learn from the past — and past writers.

      Reply
  2. Martha Orlando says

    January 7, 2014 at 7:48 am

    I think we writers, in general, be it through poetry or prose, try to make sense of this world with our words. This poet whom you featured here is a perfect example. Her poem is quietly brilliant!
    Thanks, Glynn!

    Reply
    • Glynn says

      January 7, 2014 at 12:50 pm

      It’s something, I think, we all do – try to make sense of the world.

      Reply
  3. Maureen Doallas says

    January 7, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Thank you for the introduction to Schulman, Glynn.

    That poem’s plain-spokenness, its every-day matter-of-factness, annihilate. Quiet, yes; and behind it is a fierce determination to not lose hope or fail to see beauty. To give witness is to open our eyes to what we lose.

    Reply
    • Glynn says

      January 7, 2014 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks, Maureen. I really enjoyed this poem (and the collection), and finding out more about Schulman.

      Reply
  4. SimplyDarlene says

    January 7, 2014 at 10:46 am

    Ah, sir Glynn, your third paragraph was as undoing as the poem you shared.

    Love hard in the simple things.

    Blessings.

    Reply
    • Glynn says

      January 7, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks for the comment, Darlene. As soon as I read that poem, it was like being back in that office 12 years ago.

      Reply
  5. Marcy Terwilliger says

    January 7, 2014 at 11:44 am

    After reading this I see it all so clear in my mind. Why? We are not in control here. Man plans, God laughs. Thanks Glynn it gives you pause.

    Reply
    • Glynn says

      January 7, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Marcy – thanks for reading and commenting. And it does give pause.

      Reply
  6. Rick Dawson says

    January 7, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    Many years before 9/11, I watched a man get murdered on the streets of Saigon on the evening news before going back to the streets of my sleepy little Massachusetts town to pedal off my dinner – and avoid the insanity within the walls of my home for as long as I could.

    Thanks, Glynn, for reminding me we all have to cope with discontinuities as best we can.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Saturday Review of Books: January 11, 2014 | Semicolon says:
    February 28, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    […] Children of Ashton Place: The Interrupted Tale)7. Seth@Collateral Bloggage (Nascence)8. Glynn (Without a Claim)9. Carol in Oregon (Reading My Own Books Plan)10. Yvann@Readingwithtea (Lean In)11. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cute Comic

😊

The Sadbook Collections

A stick-figure human sure to capture your heart.

Take How to Read a Poem

Get the Introduction, the Billy Collins poem, and Chapter 1

get the sample now

Welcome to Tweetspeak

New to Tweetspeak Poetry? Start here, in The Mischief Café. You're a regular? Check out our June Menu.

Patron Love

❤️

Welcome a little patron love, when you help keep the world poetic.

Your Comments

  • Dheepa R. Maturi on Poet Laura on the Moon
  • L.L. Barkat on Poetry Club Tea Date ✨ The Color of Eyes
  • Beverley on Poetry Club Tea Date ✨ The Color of Eyes
  • L.L. Barkat on Poet Laura on the Moon

How to Write Poetry

Get Every Day Poems

Featured In

We're happy to have been featured in...

The Huffington Post

The Paris Review

The New York Observer

Tumblr Book News

Stay in Touch With Us

Categories

Learn to Write Form Poems

How to Write an Acrostic

How to Write a Ballad

How to Write a Catalog Poem

How to Write a Ghazal

How to Write a Haiku

How to Write an Ode

How to Write a Pantoum

How to Write a Rondeau

How to Write a Sestina

How to Write a Sonnet

How to Write a Villanelle

5 FREE POETRY PROMPTS

Get 5 FREE inbox poetry prompts from the popular book How to Write a Poem

Shakespeare Resources

Poetry Classroom: Sonnet 18

Common Core Picture Poems: Sonnet 73

Sonnet 104 Annotated

Sonnet 116 Annotated

Character Analysis: Romeo and Juliet

Character Analysis: Was Hamlet Sane or Insane?

Why Does Hamlet Wait to Kill the King?

10 Fun Shakespeare Resources

About Shakespeare: Poet and Playwright

Top 10 Shakespeare Sonnets

See all 154 Shakespeare sonnets in our Shakespeare Library!

Explore Work From Black Poets

About Us

  • • A Blessing for Writers
  • • Annual Theme 2022: Perspective
  • • Annual Theme 2021: Generous
  • • Our Story
  • • Meet Our Team
  • • Literary Citizenship
  • • Poet Laura
  • • Poetry for Life: The 5 Vital Approaches
  • • T. S. Poetry Press – All Books
  • • Contact Us

Write With Us

  • • 5 FREE Poetry Prompts-Inbox Delivery
  • • 30 Days to Richer Writing Workshop
  • • Poetry Prompts
  • • Submissions
  • • The Write to Poetry

Read With Us

  • • All Our Books
  • • Book Club
  • • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • • Literacy Extras
  • • Poems to Listen By: Audio Series
  • • Poet-a-Day
  • • Poets and Poems
  • • 50 States Projects
  • • Charlotte Perkins Gilman Poems Library
  • • Edgar Allan Poe Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Blake Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Shakespeare Sonnet Library

Celebrate With Us

  • • Poem on Your Pillow Day
  • • Poetic Earth Month
  • • Poet in a Cupcake Day
  • • Poetry at Work Day
  • • Random Acts of Poetry Day
  • • Take Your Poet to School Week
  • • Take Your Poet to Work Day

Gift Ideas

  • • Every Day Poems
  • • Our Shop
  • • Everybody Loves a Book!

Connect

  • • Donate
  • • Blog Buttons
  • • By Heart
  • • Shop for Tweetspeak Fun Stuff

Copyright © 2023 Tweetspeak Poetry · FAQ, Disclosure & Privacy Policy

We serve poetry with our cookies. Because that's the way it should be.
We serve poetry with your cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you... accept the cookies with a smile.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
update cookie prefs

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT